Tagged Razorback Suckers Released in Grand Canyon

– On March 16th, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, BIO-WEST, Inc., and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service (NPS) biologists successfully released nine adult endangered razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) in the Colorado River downstream of Lava Falls (River Mile 180).

A native fish found only in the Colorado River basin, the razorback sucker was previously believed to have been extirpated from Grand Canyon National Park, but was rediscovered in October 2012 during surveys by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. By tracking the sonic-tagged fish that were released, biologists may be able to detect groups of other spawning razorback suckers, and assess their movements and habitat use.

While the monitoring of razorback sucker has been conducted in Lake Mead National Recreation Area for several years, this is the first time a study such as this has been conducted in Grand Canyon National Park. Fisheries biologists will attempt to track the fish during monthly river trips occurring between April and September, by using specialized equipment designed to detect signals emitted from the tagged fish. Grand Canyon National Park Fisheries Biologist Clay Nelson said "The information that may be gained tracking these adult razorback suckers will be valuable for future conservation and management of the species in Grand Canyon."

Studies conducted during the past three years at the Colorado River inflow area in Lake Mead National Recreation Area suggested that wild razorback suckers are migrating into the Colorado River in lower Grand Canyon. Several fish were tracked upstream as far as Separation Rapid (River Mile 240), and wild un-tagged fish were captured in lower Grand Canyon as part of annual monitoring in 2012 and 2013. These were the first detections of the species in Grand Canyon National Park since the 1990s.

The razorback sucker study is a component of the recently released Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan for Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent David Uberuaga said, "We're extremely excited to release one of the Colorado River's iconic native fish species back into Grand Canyon. It is an important part of our efforts to protect the park's native fish species."

For more information, please contact Brian Healy, Fisheries Program Manager at 928-638-7453. Additional information on humpback chub translocations and Grand Canyon National Park's fisheries program is available online athttp://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/fish.htm.

Did You Know?

Each year, thousands of hikers enter the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. They follow a route established by prehistoric people for two key reasons: water and access. Water emerges from springs at Indian Garden, and a fault creates a break in the cliffs, providing access to the springs.